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Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer
A day after enjoying a laugh at the expense of New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered an unusually terse response Tuesday when asked about Johnson — adding to the perception of a rift between them.
Rodgers, discussing his future, said he has to be “in multiple people’s plans, starting with ownership” for the Jets to keep him in 2025. The future Hall of Famer sidestepped a question about whether he thinks Johnson wants him back.
“You should ask Woody,” Rodgers said tersely.
Has he had any conversations with Johnson about his future?
“No.”
Rodgers, 41, is preparing for what will likely be the final two games of his Jets career — and perhaps his NFL career. Despite an MCL injury in his left knee, Rodgers said he plans to play Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, insisting, “There’s no way I’m not playing.” Earlier Tuesday, interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was noncommittal.
With the Jets (4-11) coming off their most disappointing season in recent memory, the game is the secondary storyline for Rodgers, who continues to make headlines.
On Monday, he poked Johnson during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” saying he’s never been let down by a teenager — a reference to a recent story by The Athletic that said Johnson is influenced by his teenage sons, Brick and Jack .
A source recently told ESPN he would be “shocked” if Johnson, 77, brings back Rodgers, who is under contract through 2025 but has not lived up to expectations. In Week 6, Johnson suggested Rodgers be benched, sources said. That didn’t sit well with Rodgers, who has battled through various leg injuries to stay on the field.
In recent days, Rodgers has talked openly about the possibility of being released, perhaps as soon as Jan. 6 — the day after the season ends. He doesn’t think it’s likely, but he wouldn’t rule it out.
“I don’t think it’s a high percentage,” he said. “I think this is probably a conversation to have, but I’m just not naive to it being a zero (percentage chance).”
Rodgers, who said he will take time after the season to think about his future, expressed gratitude to the Johnsons for bringing him to New York in 2023 — meaning Woody and his younger brother, Christopher, vice presidents. Rodgers and Christopher Johnson are known to have a good relationship.
Rodgers said it would be “special” to be asked back because it would mean they see him “as an important part of helping the culture, the transition, whatever they do as a head coach and helping the next wave of the New York Jets… But if they don’t, it won’t be brought up again.”
The four-time MVP also responded brusquely to the wide receiver question Garrett Wilsonwho has expressed frustration over his role in the crime. Rodgers didn’t seem interested in explaining why Wilson’s numbers have dropped.
“I’ve talked to him throughout the season about some of (his frustrations),” Rodgers said, adding: “Not this week. No, not in the last few weeks, but it’s not the first time. So there’s been talk about the.”
After being a non-factor for most of Sunday’s game, a 19-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Wilson said he wants more scoring, but “people see it differently.” He didn’t mention Rodgers by name, but the reference seemed obvious.
On Monday, Ulbrich said Wilson needs to be more involved.
“We’ve got to find ways to get Garrett the ball more often,” Ulbrich said. “He’s one of the best players on our team, if not one of the best players in this league, especially at his position.”
Wilson has 90 receptions and is the fourth most targeted player in the league (139), but his chances have diminished since the arrival of Davante Adams in Week 7. Since the trade, Adams — a longtime friend of Rodgers — has 93 targets and 56 receptions. Wilson has 74 and 49 respectively.
Rodgers said he understands receivers always want the ball, but he added, “There’s a ton of plays in the field for both him and Davante. That’s how you usually plan plays for your best players.” He said coverage dictates where he throws the ball.
“We’ve moved him around a bunch,” Rodgers said of Wilson. “We give him a lot of gigs where he’s No. 1 or 2 in development.”
In injury news, the rookie tackle left Olu Fashanu suffered a plantar fascia injury in his left foot and was placed on injured reserve, ending his season. He will not need surgery, according to the Jets.
